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via CrashMax Verstappen hopes to avoid battles with Valentino RossiMax Verstappen expressed his desire to avoid on-track battles with Valentino Rossi during their upcoming GT3 race at Portimao. The four-time Formula 1 champion will compete in the GT World Challenge Europe series, marking his debut in this category.
via the-race.comIsack Hadjar and Franco Colapinto face grid penaltiesIsack Hadjar from Red Bull Racing has received a five-place grid penalty for using a new power unit element beyond his allocation at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Franco Colapinto from Alpine has been handed a 15-place penalty due to a collision he caused.
via the-race.comLindblad, Hadjar and Colapinto face grid penalties in MalaysiaArvid Lindblad, Isack Hadjar, and Franco Colapinto will all receive grid penalties for the Formula 1 race in Malaysia due to power unit changes. Lindblad will start from the back of the grid after incurring a 30-place penalty, while Hadjar and Colapinto also face sanctions.
via RacingNews365Arvid Lindblad to start from the back at Bahrain Grand PrixArvid Lindblad will start from the back of the grid at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia due to a series of power unit penalties. The FIA has confirmed that the Racing Bulls driver will face a 30-place grid penalty for the race.
via the-race.comMax Verstappen to race GT3 in Portugal this monthMax Verstappen has confirmed he will compete in a GT3 race in Portugal later this month, marking his return to GT racing. This will be his first appearance in GT3 machinery since the Nurburgring 24 Hours.
via RacingNews365Franco Colapinto addresses Alpine benching speculation after Flavio Briatore angerFranco Colapinto has addressed speculation regarding his potential benching for the Bahrain Grand Prix, clarifying that the situation surrounding his crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix did not jeopardise his seat. Despite Flavio Briatore's anger following the incident, Colapinto confirmed he was back in the simulator preparing for the race in Malaysia shortly after the crash.
Colapinto acknowledged the gravity of his mistake during the restart at Baku, which resulted in a collision that eliminated his teammate Pierre Gasly and others. He expressed remorse for the incident and stated that conversations with Briatore have been constructive. Colapinto remains optimistic about the upcoming race and is focused on moving forward with the support of his team.
via PlanetF1Franco Colapinto faces backlash over Alpine seat threatFranco Colapinto has expressed concern over the potential loss of his Alpine seat due to backlash from fans. The situation has drawn criticism from Pierre Gasly, Lando Norris, and Flavio Briatore.
via RacingNews365Alpine record major financial profit after previous heavy lossThe Alpine F1 Team has reported a significant financial turnaround, achieving a profit of £8 million GBP for the financial year ending December 31, 2025. This comes after a substantial loss of £14.6 million GBP in the previous year, highlighting a remarkable recovery in their financial performance.
The team's turnover increased to £287.562 million GBP in 2025, driven by their sixth-place finish in the 2024 constructors' standings. Key performances in races, particularly in the wet conditions of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, contributed to their improved financial results, with a gross profit of £65.184 million GBP and an operating profit of £16.527 million GBP reported for the year.
via thejudge13.comAston Martin quietly explores Mercedes engine return as Honda concerns growAston Martin is reportedly considering a return to Mercedes engines as team owner Lawrence Stroll has made discreet inquiries about the possibility. This comes amid a challenging 2026 season where Aston Martin has struggled with its Honda-powered package, currently sitting tenth in the constructors' championship with only three points.
Former driver Christian Danner highlighted the performance issues with Honda, particularly in integrating the combustion engine with the electrical components under the new regulations. While Aston Martin remains committed to Honda for now, the potential design provisions for a Mercedes power unit in their next car suggest serious consideration of alternatives as concerns about their current partnership grow.
via Motorsport.comKimi Antonelli has "spooked himself" amid F1 title pressure, says Naomi SchiffNaomi Schiff has expressed concerns about Kimi Antonelli's mental state as he leads the Formula 1 championship. She noted that Antonelli seems to be feeling the pressure, which was evident during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix where he finished fifth after starting from 16th, while his teammate George Russell won the race.
Schiff highlighted that Antonelli needs to overcome this psychological hurdle to avoid jeopardising his championship lead. Despite a challenging race, he still maintains a 66-point advantage over Russell, but Schiff warns that if Antonelli continues to feel 'spooked,' it could affect his performance in the remaining races.
via Motorsport.comGeorge Russell details F1 drivers' Langkawi boys' trip ahead of Bahrain GP in MalaysiaGeorge Russell, a driver for Mercedes, has shared insights about a recent trip to Langkawi, Malaysia, which he took with six other Formula 1 drivers ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The trip featured activities such as go-karting and sightseeing, with Russell expressing his admiration for the island's beauty and the friendliness of its people. He noted that the itinerary was influenced by Mercedes' title partner, Petronas.
In addition to Russell, Kimi Antonelli, his teammate, arrived in Malaysia early but chose to explore Kuala Lumpur and visit a water park. Antonelli currently leads the championship standings by 66 points, following Russell's victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The trip served as a unique way for the drivers to bond and prepare for the upcoming race.
via f1oversteer.comMercedes questions W17 upgrade after Bahrain strugglesMercedes is left questioning the effectiveness of its latest aerodynamic upgrade to the W17 following a challenging performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. George Russell highlighted the situation as a 'big question mark' for the team after they failed to replicate their earlier pace from practice.
via f1oversteer.comGuenther Steiner thinks Lawrence Stroll sees a Mercedes engine when he ‘wakes up at night’Guenther Steiner has expressed confusion over Lawrence Stroll and Fernando Alonso's lack of criticism towards Honda's underperformance, particularly after Aston Martin's fifth double DNF this season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Alonso acknowledged engine issues affecting their speed and called for further investigation, while reports indicate that Honda is significantly underpowered compared to competitors.
Steiner highlighted the irony of Stroll's loyalty to Honda, given the potential benefits of a Mercedes engine, which he believes could have kept Aston Martin competitive. Despite Alonso's commitment to give Honda another chance, the ongoing engine issues are likely to remain a significant challenge for the team moving forward.
via Motorsport.comF1 pundit says drivers are "complicit" if they stay silent on fan abuseFormula 1 broadcaster Will Buxton has stated that drivers who do not publicly denounce toxic online abuse from their supporters are 'complicit' in its continuation. His comments follow backlash faced by Lando Norris after he suggested that Franco Colapinto should be banned from racing due to a crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which resulted in multiple drivers retiring from the race.
Buxton emphasised the responsibility of public figures, particularly athletes, to address abusive rhetoric from their fanbases. He noted that while Colapinto had previously condemned such behaviour, he had not done so recently, and called for drivers to take a stand against their fans' abusive comments to demonstrate their commitment to ending such conduct.
via f1oversteer.comFerrari's wing set-up shows bleak reality of F1 engine performance compared to MercedesFerrari is actively seeking ways to compensate for their engine performance deficit compared to Mercedes and Red Bull this season. The team has been inventive with their wing setups, notably introducing the Macarena wing, which has been emulated by Red Bull. Despite these efforts, Ferrari's engine issues remain a significant challenge, as highlighted by journalist Stefano Nicoli, who noted that Ferrari's power unit does not meet the current regulations' demands.
Looking ahead, Ferrari is planning to introduce an entirely new power unit for the 2027 season, as Fred Vasseur remains committed to making improvements in the current season. He acknowledged that even small gains in engine performance could significantly impact their position on the grid, emphasizing the urgency to catch up with their competitors.
via Motorsport.comAlex Brundle questions McLaren F1 upgrade after Azerbaijan GP disappointmentF1 TV pundit Alex Brundle has raised concerns about McLaren's recent upgrade package following a disappointing performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite the team arriving with significant upgrades, both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri faced incidents that left them without points, prompting Brundle to question the structural integrity of the new components.
Brundle highlighted that while the zero points finish may not reflect the upgrades' potential, the physical fragility of the parts is alarming. He warned that if the upgrades cannot withstand the rigours of racing, they may end up being discarded, which would be a significant setback for the reigning champions.
via Motorsport.comMercedes braced for tougher strategy calls as George Russell closes on Kimi AntonelliMercedes Formula 1 team is preparing for more challenging strategy decisions as George Russell narrows the championship gap to his teammate Kimi Antonelli. Following a dominant victory in Baku, Russell has reduced Antonelli's lead from 81 to 66 points, prompting team principal Toto Wolff to emphasise the importance of equitable treatment for both drivers in race strategies.
With eight races remaining in the season, Russell's resurgence has shifted the dynamics within the team. Wolff noted that the team must carefully evaluate strategy calls to ensure both drivers have equal opportunities, especially as they aim to maintain a competitive edge over their rivals. Additionally, Mercedes has introduced a special livery for the W17 to celebrate the return of the Malaysian Grand Prix.
via RacingNews365George Russell comments on Mercedes' Bahrain upgradesGeorge Russell has shared his thoughts on the significant upgrades Mercedes introduced for the Bahrain Grand Prix. The team unveiled a reworked floor and sidepods in an effort to enhance performance in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
via F1iToto Wolff perplexed by Mercedes' Sepang upgrade strugglesMercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed confusion over the team's performance following their latest upgrades at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Despite expectations of a three-tenths improvement, Wolff noted that the W17 car instead lost five-tenths due to increased drag and poor handling in low-speed corners.
via PlanetF1Verstappen warns Mercedes upgrade may shift competitionMax Verstappen expressed caution regarding the impact of Mercedes' significant upgrades ahead of the Sepang practice session. Despite dominating the first practice, Verstappen acknowledged that the changes could alter the competitive landscape in Formula 1.Page 5 of 47